Square Root and Cube Root Functions

Compare and contrast square and cube root functions using

a T-chart.
Use these sites to help fill out the T-chart:
http://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra1/FunctionGraphs/FNGTypeSquareRoot.html
http://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Algebra-II-with-Trigonometry/section/7.2/
Square Root

Cube Root

What is the general

form?

y=a xh+k

y=a 3 xh+ k

What is the parent

function?

y= x

y=3 x

What is the domain of

the parent function?

x0

R( , )

What is the range of

the parent function?
What are the intervals
of increase/decrease?
(parent function)
What are the intervals
where the function is
positive/negative?
(parent function)
Are there any absolute
or relative maximums
or minimums? (parent
function)
What is the end
behavior? (parent
function)
What are the
intercepts? (parent
function)
What variable
determines the
horizontal shift? Which
direction will the
graph shift if the
variable is positive?
Negative?

y0
R( , )
Increasing
No intervals of decrease
Positive

(0, )

Increasing

( , )

No intervals of decrease
Positive

(0, )

No intervals where the

function is negative.

Negative

No absolute max
Absolute minimum at
x=0.
No relative maximums or
minimums.

No absolute or relative
max or min.

(, 0)

f ( x ) as x

f ( x ) as x

f ( x ) 0 as x 0

f ( x ) as x

x and y intercept at (0,0)

x and y intercept at (0,0)

h controls the horizontal

shift. If h is positive, the
graph shifts to the right.
If h is negative, the graph
shifts to the left.

h controls the horizontal

shift. If h is positive, the
graph shifts to the right. If
h is negative, the graph
shifts to the left.

What variable
determines the
vertical shift? Which
direction will the
graph shift if the
variable is positive?
Negative?
What variable
determines the width
(how fast the graph
grows)? What happens
if the variable is
negative?
Suppose you are given
a graph of a square or
cube root function.
Describe how you
would find the
equation of the graph.

k determines the vertical

shift. If k is positive, the
graph shifts up. If k is
negative, the graph shifts
down.

k determines the vertical

shift. If k is positive, the
graph shifts up. If k is
negative, the graph shifts
down.

a determines the width. If

a is negative, the graph is
reflected over the x-axis.

a determines the width. If

a is negative, the graph is
reflected over the x-axis.

First, find the starting

point and set that as (h,
k). Next, find another
point on the graph. Set
that point as (x, y).
Finally, solve for a. Write
the equation in the form

The pair (h, k) is where

the bend of the graph
is. The point (x, y) is
another point on the
graph. Substitute what
you know into the general

y=a xh+k with

the values of a, and (h, k)
plugged in.

Describe how you

would use a graphing
calculator to graph the
parent function. (TI 83
or 84)

First, press Y= and clear

any functions. Then,
press 2nd

x2

which is

. Finally, type X and

close parentheses. Press
GRAPH and adjust the
window if necessary.

equation

y=a 3 xh+ k
and solve for a. Then,
write the equation in
terms of x and y.

First, press Y= and clear

any functions. The, press
MATH and scroll down to
4:

and press ENTER.

Finally, type X and close

parentheses. Press
GRAPH and adjust the
window if necessary.